Tenpin setting machine



Nov. 12, 1940. B. A. BALL TENP IN SETTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Bernard/4. Ball.

NOV. 12, 1940. BALI? 2,221,697

TENPIN SETTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1939 5 Sheet s-Sheet 23 71 I I a 110W ,Il5. Ber1zardA,Ball

1 1940- B. A. BALL TENPIN SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 16, 1959 Nov. 12, 1940. B. A. BALL TENPIN SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 16, 1939 Joana/1 Nov. 12, 1940. B. A. BALL TENPIN SETTING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 12, 1940 Bernard A. Ball, Smethport, Pa.

Application June 16-, 1939, Serial No. 279,547

6 Claims.

. This invention is in machines for setting or spotting the pins used in bowling, and is an improved construction for accurately, quickly, and

easily placing the pins in position on the alley door.

The principal object of the invention is to so improve certain standard pinsetting machines as to secure more certainty of action and greater reliability of operation in the placing or spotting of tenpins on the bowling alley.

A further object is to produce a pinsetting machine which shall be easily and readily applied as a unit to standard bowling alleys- Another object is to produce a rigid. and reli-, able pinsetter framework, which shall be able to withstand all ordinary thrusts or displacing influences, so that great accuracy of operation shall be maintained.

A further object is to provide a positive, quick acting, and reliable pin platform restoring means.

A still further object is to secure an operating mechanism which shall be accurate and simple, and dependable in long and continuous operation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is 'a perspective view of the-machine, looking from the left front, and showing the gen-. eral construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the side frames of the machine, and its associated parts. 1

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the side frames and its associated parts, taken on the line 'I3 of Fig. 2, and looking in thedirection of the arrows. i

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section, of the countor-balancing roller and springs.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of one of the brackets by which the machine is secured on the alley and also showing one of the brackets for holding the pin platform to the'slides of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of one of the mounting .brackets, the parts being disassembled. v

Fig. 7 is a view of the inside of one of thetwo side frames, showing the guiding and operating mechanism of the' pin platform, taken on the line l-1 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of' one of the guide. adjusting devices.

In these drawings, corresponding parts in the I several figures are indicated by the same refer- 55 ence characters. As the machine naturally divides itself into several parts or mechanisms, these parts will be described one by one in detail, and the operation of the whole mechanism then explained as far as may be necessary.

Pin carrier 5 The pin carrier or platform is in general the same as that shown in the patent to Backus No. 809,890, granted January 9, 1906. This construction has been long and successfully used, and so need not be described in detail. It is sufllcient here to'say that it consists of a structure generally of equilateral triangle shape, with the apex of the triangle pointing toward the front of the machine.

This carrier comprises a lower frame it, having therein the proper number of pin openings Ii, and having pin guides i2 pivoted thereto; and an upper-frame it, having pin rests H. The upper frame normally lies on the lower frame, and is secured thereto by parallel links i5. Mounted on the I upper frame, but extending through and projecting beyond the lower face of the frame, are pendant operating bars it which, upon striking the alley, lift the upper or auxiliary frame, and shift the same forward due to the parallel links i5, thus raising the pins from horizontal to vertical position. The pins then fall vertically through the frame and between the guides i2, and stand in proper position on the alley ii. For purposes of identification, the pins themselves are numbered H. In Fig. l, the pin carrier mechanism as a whole is provided with an ornamental protective front It.

In Fig. 1, the full set of pins I! are shown standing on the ally; at the same time, some are shown in dotted lines in position on the upper frame. Usually, in placing a set of pins, they will all rest on the upper frame it, and be set on the alley when the platform is lowered; but sometimes some pins will be left standing on the alley, and only those which have been knocked down may be put upon the platform. As the platform is lowered, it will set only those which are on the platform, but will at the same time bring into proper position all those which remain standing on the alley.

Inasmuch as the details of this construction are shown in the Backus patent referred to (No. 809,890), no more detailed description is here necessary.

counterbalance As heretofore built, pinsetters have usually I been constructed with counterbalancing weights 26 through the shaft 26.

5 deposited. But the action of all counterweights is sluggish, for they operate according to the laws of gravity, and so travel with continuously accelerated motion. In this construction, I have substituted torsion springs for the weights of 10 earlier machines for restoring the platform to its raised position. Springs, being under constant tension, are quicker in action than weights, and therefore are to be preferred.

Referring to Fig. 4, 26 is a shaft suitably 16 mounted for rotation, and 2| represents a drum or sleeve surrounding the shaft, and rotatable thereon. On this shaft 26 are mounted helical springs 22 and 26. In the form here shown, two springs are used, and these are reversely wound;

no that is, they are rights and lefts. One end of each spring, in this case, the inner end, is fastened directly or indirectly to the shaft 26. As shown, the inner end 22 of spring 22 has formed thereon a loop 26, and the inner end 21 of spring as 26 has formed thereon a loop 26. The loops 26 and 26, and thus the springs 22 and 26, are secured to the shaft 26 by means of screws or bolts 26 and 29v respectively, which screws or bolts pass through the said loops 26 and 26, and into or The outer ends of the springs 22 and 26 are secured to the drum 2|; the outer end 26 of spring 22 being formed into a loop 2| and, secured to the drum by a bolt and nut fastening 22, and the outer end 22 of the spring a 26 being formed into a loop 26 and secured to the drum 2| by a bolt and nut fastening 26. The specific means for securing the ends of v the springs is not of the essence of the invention, and other satisfactory means of course may be used.

Cords or cables 26 and 21, of wire or other suitable material, are secured to the pin plati, form. These are wound directly on the drum if this is of suflicient size, or on reels or auxiliary drums, as 26 and 22, secured to the drum 2|. 66 The cables have their other ends attached to the plnsetter frame (Fig. 1), 26 being secured at the point 66, and 21 at the point 6|. Each cable has,

somewhere in its length, a turnbuckle or otheradiustinmmeans by means of which slight ad- 60 justments can be made; thus, cable "has therein a turnbuckle link 62, and cable 21 has located therein a turnbuckle link 62. The drum or sleeve 2| is mounted on the shaft 26 by means of collars. Referring to Fig. 4, the 6 right hand end of the drum is secured to a bushing 66, which then is mounted for rotation on shaft 26, and the left hand end is secured to a bushing 66, which likewise rotates on shaft 26.

As here shown, a washer 61 of any suitable thickness is placed between the collar 66 and the and frame of the machine. A collar 66, secured on the right hand and of shaft 26, and outside the frame, keeps the end of the shaft from slipping through the frame. The left hand end of shaft 26 (Figs. 2 and 4) shows a ratchet wheel 66, having teeth 6|, secured to the shaft in any convenient way, as by a pin 62, so as to turn with the shaft. A lever 62, carrying a floating pawl 66, is

rotatably mounted on the hub 66 of the ratchet wheel, and a holding pawl 66, pivoted at 61, cooperates with the ratchet teeth to hold the ratchet. One end of the shaft 26, is shaped at 66 to receive a wrench for turning the same, so

that-the shaft may be turned and the springs wound either by turning the shaft 26 directly by hand, using a wrench, or by the ratchet and a pawl mechanism, as circumstances may require. By turning the shaft 26, the tension of the springs 22 and 26 may be adjusted simultanewhen carrying the pins to fall freely of its own 10 weight, or with only slight additional pressure by the operator. Experience must determine the proper tension.

By this construction, the springs may be simultaneously wound, and with fewer turns of the shaft 26 than is possible with a single spring; and, moreover, a quicker and more effective action is secured with a plurality of short springs, than with a. single long spring. There is a sluggishness of action in a long spring which is not present in shorter ones.

While the springs are here shown as connec to the shaft 26 at their inner ends, and to the drum 2| at their outer ends, it is to be understood that of course this arrangement may be reversed, and the outer ends connected to the shaft, and the inner ends to the sleeve.

Framework One difficulty with earlier machines has been so the lack of strength in the frame construction. Accuracy in setting the pine is one of the essentials of pinsetting machines; if the pins are not 'properly spaced, and aocuratelyplaced on the 85 spots provided therefor, the results of the game are uncertain. With present machines, undue pressure on the platform, or accidental contact therewith by the operator, may cause the pins to vary in position on the alley by substantial My 46 amounts, thus causing errors in the play. aim has been to overcome this dimculty, and to this end the main frames are made of sufiicient strength ot give the necessary rigidity to the machine, and'the means for guiding the movea ments of the pin platform are constructed with 66 a view to special accuracy in bringin the platform to pin setting position.

The framework which supports the pin platform, audits counterbalancing springs. is best 1': shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. There are two frames,

with an enlargement 66, through which the shaft 26 of the counterbalancing means passes, and by 60 which it is supported. The collar 66 on the shaft 26 cooperates with the outer face of the cross piece 62 on the right hand frame (Fig. 4), while the ratchet wheel 66 is secured to theother end 3 of the shaft 26 outside the cross piece 62, on the 6 left side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 2.

These side frames may be supported in any convenient way relative to the alley which the machine serves; but as here shown, they are supported by the sides or divisions of the alley beds, usually termed kick-backs. The supporting devices here used are shown appliedin Fig. 1, but are illustrated as disassembled in Fig. 6.

Each comprises a member 16, in the shape of an 1 angle iron, which is attached. by its upright face or be built up of the members 16, I1 and 18. The

part 16 is provided with transversely arranged holes 19 which cooperate with holes 14 inthe member 10, and these parts are adjustably secured together by bolts 00, and nuts and washers 0|, 82, or by othersuitable means. The member I0 is intended to rest on and be secured to the alley divisions or kick-backs 60. Elongated holes 03 are provided in the depending flange of i0, and these members are adjustably secured to the kickbacks 60 by bolts 84 (Fig. 5), or in any other suitable manner. The use of the elongated holes 14, I8 and 03 permits all the adjustability usually needed in the mounting of the machine in the standard alley. If desired, as a means for vertical adjustment, additional or auxiliary holes I! may be provided in the Z-bars 0|, 6!;

The two side frames are secured together at,

their upper ends by a beam such as ll, Fig. 2, of any desired cross section, but here shown as an angle bar. This has its ends bent at right angles, as at 86, and secured to the Z-bars 02 by bolts or rivets 81. Two substantially identical angular braces are provided, one for either side of the machine. Only one of these, 00, is clearly shown in Fig. 2. One end of this brace is supported by a bracket secured to Z-bar 02, by bolts or rivets 09, and to the downwardly projecting bar 85', and the other end is fastened to the transverse beam 05, by bolts or rivets 00. This arrangement .is duplicated on the other side of the machine. An ornamental covering, as 0|, Fig. 1, may be provided for this construction if desired. I I

Bars 52, one on each side frame, are arranged diagonally across the side frames, and secured to iii! the Z-bars BI and 02 thereof by bolts 03. One of these bars 92 is shown in detail in Fig. 2. Referring then to Fig. 2, it will be noticed that the lower end of the bar 92 is bent transversely at 04.

and again at 85, thus bringing the lower end 00 to a plane which is substantially parallel to the main body of the bar. The purpose of this offset will be explained below. It is understood, of course, that this same offset is made in the corresponding bar 02 on the other side of the machine. These bars 02, while intended to function primarily with the operating mechanism, to be yet described, also serve as braces to strengthen the I side frames.

Guiding mechanism The pin platform is directed in its movements toward and from the alley by special slides, which move on guideways on the Z-bars of the side frames. As explained above, the side frames have substantial width, as compared with prior constructions, so that they may have greater rigidity.

For the same reason, the guides and cooperating parts are preferably made as wide as practicable; and the pin platform is secured directly and rigidly to these slides, so as to move in unison therewith, the purpose being to provide a rigid and highly accurate guiding means.

These parts are best shown in Figs. 2. 3 and '7! to which reference will now be made. Each slide is in the form of a frame comprising members I00 outer edges of the plates H5, Fig. 3.

- and IN, cross pieces I02 and I0! rigidly secured thereto, and diagonal braces I04 and I05 fastened directly to the other members. The upper ends of the braces I04 and I05 are fastened to the upper cross piece I02 at I06 and IN, and the lower ends thereof are fastened to cross piece l0! be'used. One of these frames is mounted to move freely up and down on each' of the main side frames of the machine.

Brackets ill, meet either side of each slide, secure the pin platform proper to these sliding members. One of these brackets is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 5. The front brackets are made 20 I somewhat longer than the rear ones (Fig. 3), and

are provided-with braces ill. The upright portion of each bracket is fastened to its slide by rivets or bolts H2 and iii, and the under part is similarly fastened to the top of the platform by. j

bolts or rivets H3, Fig. 3. Thus, the slides and pin platform are secured together, and move upward and downward as a unit. The brackets Iii are secured to the platform as,ne arly as possible equally distant from the center of gravity thereof, and, being quite a distance apart, form a sumplatformisnecessary. v

The construction of the guides on which the sliding frames move is best shown in Figs. '2 and 3.- Strips or plates iii are secured by suitable means H0, one to the inside member of each cient support for the platform, so that no special I means for raising and lowering the apex of the Z-bar, and project slightly beyond the outer edge of this inner member, thus forming a guide or tongue. Fastened to each slide member ill, and

m, so as to be a part thereof, aretwo other strips, numbered respectively I" and lit-f Any suitable fastening means, such as bolts or screws He, may be used for this The strip H1 is somewhat narrower than the strips HI, I'll and I0 I, so that with the outer edges of the strips flush, the members I00 and IM and the strips H1 and H0 together form grooved structures which are attached to and form a part of the sliding. frames. These grooved members are adapted to. move on the tongues formed by the These grooved slides are all identical'or substantially identical, except that one slide on each sliding frame is preferably provided with an adjustment, so that it can be shifted with respect to the edge or tongue of member H5, to take up wear and secure accuracy of movement. Thisadjustment may be on either edge of the slide, or even on side, as viewed in Fig. 7. I

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 2,

that the strip I I8 is made shorter than the strips m, m and H1. The only object of this is to limit the friction of the parts, and this strip, on each guide, is made only as long as is necessary to secure proper movement of the slides.

both edges, but is here shown on the right hand I members III, III and Ill; by loosening these screws or bolts I2I, the grooved members may be readily moved toward the edge of the plate 9. The details of this adjustment are shown in Fig. 8, where a screw I22, for effecting movement of the grooved members, and a locknut I23 therefor, maybe seen. By loosening the bolts I2I, and turning the screw I22, suilicient adjustment may be readily made, 'whereupon the bolts I2I are again tightened; 'or by loosening screws I2I and backing out the screw I22, the grooved members may be moved away from the tongue so as to permit more freedom of action. Any other adjusting means may of course be used, and that shown is to be regarded as merely illustrative.

Operating mechanism Normally the pin platform is'held in raised position by the counterbalancing springs 22 and 26, the tension of which is so adjusted that they will raise the unloaded platform. But when a full complement of pins is on the platform, the tension of the springs is overcome, and the platform will descend of its own weight. After the pins shall have been deposited on the alley, the counterbalancing springs will raise the empty platform to normal position. But in actual operation, the platform may not always carry a full complement of pins, and under such circumstances manual aid to set the pins may be necessary. And again, at times automatic restoration of the platform to normal position may not be complete. and manual assistance is needed. To effect complete and satisfactory operation under all circumstances, a manual operating means, supplemental to the automatic means, is employed. This is best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7.

A handle bar I39 runs across the upper portion of the machine, where it can be conveniently grasped by the operator. This bar has extended ends "I, with or without rollers thereon, which normally rest on shoulders or wear plates I32 secured to the Z-bars of the side frames. Bars I33, one on either side of the machine, each have one end attached to the handle bar I39, and the other mounted with a sliding connection on the extension 99 of the bar 92. This sliding connection is merely an elongated slot I34 in the lower end 99 of the bar 92, by which this bar I33 may be moved a short distance withits bolt I35 in the slot I34. The purpose of this type of connection will be described below.

Each sliding side frame has rigidly attached thereto a cross guide, here shown as a channel bar I39, the construction of which is best shown in Fig. 7. These channel bars are secured to the slides by any suitable means, as by bolts I 31. A flanged antifriction roller I33 is mounted to rotate on a bearing I39. These rollers are adapted to rotate on their bearings I39, and to move back and forth freely in the channel bars I36. While this cross guide is here shown as a channel bar with an antifriction roller therein, it is to be understood that any form of guide and movable cooperating member may be used.

Normally, the pin platform is retained in its raised position by the extensions I3I of the handle bar I39 resting on the supports or wear plates I 32. After the pins shall have been placed on the platform, the handle bar I39 is grasped by the operator and drawn oil the supports or wear plates I32, the bars I33 moving upwardly sufficiently by reason of the slots I34 in the lower ends of bars 92, and the antifriction rollers I38 moving slightly toward the operator in the channel bars I39. After the ends I3I of bar I39 shall have moved off their supports I32, the pin platform will move down, and the antifriction rollers I38 will move rearward. The handle bar I39 will, at this time, be describing the are shown at B, Fig. 7, and the rollers I39, moving in the channel bars I 36, will describe the are shown at C. If the platform carries the full set of pins, the weight thereof will be sufllcient to carry the platform down against the tension of the counterbalancing springs 22 and 26, and the pins will be automatically deposited on the alley; and the pin platform, being thus relieved of the weight of the pins, will be raised by the counterbalancing springs, and the handle bar I39, with its cooperating elements will be automatically positioned with its ends I3I on the supports I32. At the same time, the antifriction rollers I39 will move, in their channel bars, along the are C. But if the platform does not carry a full complement of pins,'as may often happen, the weight of the pins on the platform may not be suillcient to automatically deposit the pins, and some pressure must be applied by the operator on the handle bar I39 to complete the operation. Or, for some reason, even when a full set of pins is carried, automatic operation may not be effected, and in such cases additional pressure must be applied to the bar I39 to deposit the pins. Usually, the return of the platform is entirely automatic, but, if the automatic operation is not effected, a slight added effort on the part of the operator, through the handle bar I39, will lift the platform and position the operating bar on its supports.

' Inasmuch as the pin platform and associated parts return to normal position under the influence of the counterbalancing springs 22 and 29, they move with considerable speed, and have substantial energy. To absorb this energy and bring the parts to rest properly, buffer springs are employed. The construction may be of any desired design, but as here disclosed, comprises springs I49, one on either side of the machine. These are set in holders I4!, and are adjustably secured to frames I42 by means of adjusting rods I43 and nuts I44. Brackets I45, one on each sliding frame, are mounted on cross pieces I92 so as to strike the free ends of the springs on the upward movement of the slides. As the platform and slides move up under the influence of the counterbaiancing springs 22 and 29, the brackets I49 strike the springs I 49, the latter absorb the energy of the moving parts, and the machine is brought to rest with the platform in proper position, and with the extensions I3I of the handle bar I39 resting on the supports or wear plates I32.

It is to be understood of course that minor changes in construction are to be regarded as coming within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a tenpin setting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley, frames one on either side of the machine each frame having two widely separated substantially vertical guiding means, sliding frames one for each side of the machine attached to the platform and each having two widely separated slides'for cooperating with the guiding means on the frames, counterbalancing means for the pin platform, transverse guides one secured to each sliding frame, manual means for operating the pin platform, and antifriction devices carried by the manual operating means and movable in the transverse guides, whereby as the manual operating mechanism is moved the platform will be lowered and raised by the antifriction devices.

2. In a tenpin setting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley, frames one on either side of the machine each frame having two widely separated substantially vertical guiding means, sliding frames one for each side of the machine attached to the platform and each having two widely separated slides for cooperating with the guiding means on the frames, counterbalancing means for the pin platform, transverse guides one secured to each sliding frame, manual means for operating the pin platform, and cooperating devices carried by the manual operating means and movable with respect to the transverse guides, whereby as the manual operating mechanism is moved the platform will be lowered and raised by the cooperating devices.

3. In a pinsetting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley, frames one on either side of the machine having vertical guiding means, sliding frames one on each side of the machine attached to the platform and having guideways which cooperate with the guiding means on the frames, counterbalancing means for the pin platform, a manual operating means for operating the platform, transverse guides one secured to each sliding frame, bars each secured at one end to the manual operating means and at the other pivoted to some fixed part of the machine, means carried 'bythe bars and cooperating with the transverse guides, whereby as the manual operating means is operated the platform will be lowered and raised by the means cooperating with the transverse guides.

4. In a pinsetting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley in a substantially vertical plane, means for guiding the platform in its vertical movements, transversely arranged guides mounted on the vertical guiding means, manual operating means comprising a handle movable toward and away from the alley, bars each secured at one end to the handle and at the other end pivoted to some fixed part of the machine, and devices carried by the bars for cooperation with the transversely arranged guides, whereby movement of the handle toward and away from the alley will cause the devices carried by the bars to function with the transverse guides to lower and raise the platform. q

5. In a pinsetting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley in a substantially vertical plane, means for guiding the platform in its vertical movements, transversely arranged channel bars mounted one on each vertical guiding means, manual operating means comprising a handle movable toward and away from the alley, bars each secured at one end to the handle and at the other pivoted with a movable connection to some fixed part of the machine, and antifriction rollers carried by the bars for cooperation with the channel bars, whereby movement of the handle toward and away from the alley will cause the antifriction rollers carried by the bars to cooperate with the channel bars and move the platform toward and away from the alley.

6. In a pinsetting machine, the combination of a pin platform movable toward and away from the alley, frames one for either side of the machine each frame having two widely separated substantially vertical guiding means, sliding frames one for each side of the machine attached to the platform and each having two widely separated slides for cooperating with the guiding means on the frames, counterbalancing means for the pin platform, transverse channel bars one secured to each sliding frame, manual means for operating the platform comprising a handle arranged transversely of the machine at the rear thereof, and antifriction rollers carried by the manual operating means and movable in the transverse channel bars, whereby as the manual operating mechanism is operated the platform will be lowered and raised by the antifriction rollers.

- BERNARD A. BALL; 

